BMW 3 Series GT spied on US soil. More information on features

A reader of Worldcarfans spotted the upcoming BMW 3 Series GT during a testing trial in Santa Barbara, California. The prototype is said to feature …

A reader of Worldcarfans spotted the upcoming BMW 3 Series GT during a testing trial in Santa Barbara, California. The prototype is said to feature an interior with black leather and red stitching, along with wood inserts on doors, an indication that we might be looking at the Luxury Line model.

Interesting enough the test mule still sports a heavy camouflage that hides most of the design lines even though the 3er GT was fully revealed during a commercial photoshoot in Munich earlier this month. Compared to the model that was spied in Munich, the prototype spotted in California is equipped with a retractable rear spoiler as an active aerodynamic component.

At the front end, the F34 3 Series GT mimics the design language seen on the F30 3 Series Sedan with the headlights flowing into the kidney grille. On the sides, BMW will include functional vents as seen in the 4 Series Coupe.

We have also learned earlier today from our sister-magazine Bimmertoday that the 3 Series GT will make its world debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show followed by a market launch in mid-June of the same year.

At launch time, BMW will offer several 3er GT variants: 318d GT, 320i GT, 320i GT and 328i GT. The 318d model outputs 143 hp from a 2.0 liter diesel engine paired to a manual transmission. The starting price is said to be just under 36,000 euros. The eight-speed ZF automatic transmission will be offered for all versions at an additional cost. Later in the year or early 2014, BMW will also introduce the six-cylinder models 335i GT and 330d GT.

Like the Sedan and Touring 3 Series models, the F34 3 GT is offered in four distinct lines: M Sports Package, Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line. The color range is inherited as well, with a potential one or two specific GT colors.

The Dingolfing plant will be the one responsible to build this niche model.